European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 20 / 05 / 2021
Brussels, 20 May 2021
Coronavirus: la Commission signe un troisième contrat avec BioNTech-Pfizer portant sur 1,8
milliard de doses supplémentaires
La Commission européenne a signé aujourd'hui un troisième contrat avec les sociétés
pharmaceutiques BioNTech et Pfizer. Ce contrat a pour objet de réserver 1,8 milliard de doses
supplémentaires, pour le compte de tous les États membres de l'Union, entre fin 2021 et 2023. Il
permettra l'achat de 900 millions de doses du vaccin actuel et d'un vaccin adapté aux variants, avec
une option pour l'achat de 900 millions de doses supplémentaires. La présidente de la Commission
européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré: « Avec notre signature, le nouveau contrat est
maintenant en vigueur; c'est une bonne nouvelle pour le combat de longue durée que nous menons
afin de protéger les citoyens européens contre le virus et ses variants! La production et la fourniture,
dans l'Union, d'un nombre de doses pouvant aller jusqu'à 1,8 milliard sont garanties. Les contrats
potentiels avec d'autres fabricants suivront le même modèle, dans l'intérêt de tous. »
Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, a ajouté: « Nous devons avoir
une longueur d'avance sur le virus. Pour cela, nous devons avoir accès à des vaccins adaptés pour
nous protéger contre la menace des variants ainsi qu'à des doses de rappel pour prolonger
l'immunité, et nous devons protéger les plus jeunes d'entre nous. Nous mettons l'accent en priorité
sur les technologies qui ont fait leurs preuves, comme les vaccins à ARN messager, mais nous
restons ouverts à d'autres options. Ces derniers mois ont clairement démontré la nécessité d'avoir
accès à un large éventail de vaccins et de technologies différentes, ainsi qu'à des partenaires fiables.
Alors que le rythme de vaccination augmente chaque jour et que les travaux sur des traitements
efficaces s'intensifient, nous pouvons regarder l'avenir avec plus d'optimisme et de confiance. » Le
contrat exige que le site de production des vaccins soit établi dans l'Union et que ses composants
essentiels proviennent de l'Union. Il statue également que la livraison aux pays de l'Union est
garantie dès le début de l'approvisionnement, en 2022. Grâce à la coopération bien établie avec les
fabricants dans le cadre des contrats actuels, ainsi qu'aux dispositions mises en place, des livraisons
rapides de doses sont assurées. La possibilité pour les États membres de revendre des doses ou d'en
faire don directement à des pays tiers qui en ont besoin ou par l'intermédiaire du dispositif COVAX a
été renforcée, ce qui contribue à un accès équitable au vaccin dans le monde entier. De plus amples
informations dans notre communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan de Keersmaecker
– Tél.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE: 908,8 millions d'euros pour la Tchéquie et la France pour
lutter contre l'impact social et économique de la crise du coronavirus
La Commission a approuvé la modification de deux programmes opérationnels (PO) du Fonds
européen de développement régional dans le cadre de REACT-EU afin d'augmenter de 908,8 millions
d'euros le financement disponible pour les investissements pour la Tchéquie et la France afin de
lutter contre les effets de la pandémie de coronavirus. En Tchéquie, la modification du « PO régional
intégré » débloquera 834,8 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour renforcer le système de santé, le
système de sauvetage intégré et l'infrastructure sociale, y compris l'augmentation de son efficacité
énergétique. De plus, de nouveaux investissements permettront de développer, de moderniser et de
renforcer la résilience du réseau de prestataires de soins de santé en mettant un accent particulier
sur les patients vulnérables. Enfin, le programme soutiendra la construction et l'équipement
d'installations qui augmenteront la qualité des services sociaux. En France, l'amendement du « PO
Bretagne » financera avec 74 millions d'euros supplémentaires plusieurs projets contribuant aux
transitions verte et numérique, des mesures pour lutter contre l'impact économique de la crise des
coronavirus et favoriser la reprise économique, ainsi que des investissements dans les produits et les
services de santé. Plus de 60 % du financement supplémentaire encouragera des investissements
verts, notamment dans la rénovation énergétique des bâtiments, le développement et la distribution
de sources d'énergie renouvelables (notamment l'hydrogène vert, les bornes de recharge électrique,
les réseaux intelligents, etc.), la conversion de friches industrielles et la réhabilitation des zones

dégradées en vue de restaurer la biodiversité. REACT-EU fait partie de NextGenerationEU et fournit
un financement supplémentaire de 50,6 milliards d'euros (en prix courants) au cours de 2021 et
2022 aux programmes de la politique de cohésion. Les mesures visent à soutenir la résilience du
marché du travail, les emplois, les PME et les familles à faible revenu, ainsi que la mise en place de
fondations à l'épreuve du temps pour les transitions vertes et numériques et une reprise socio-
économique durable. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela – Tél.: +32 229 66712; Veronica
Favalli – Tél.: +32 229 87269)

Public Health: EU Tobacco Products Directive is delivering but stronger action is needed
The European Commission is publishing its first report on the Tobacco Products Directive. Five years
after it became applicable, the Directive contributed to a steady decrease in smoking rates and
tobacco use, the report finds. It also points out two main areas where we need to see improvements:
enforcement at national level and better consideration of new market developments. Stella
Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “With Europe's Beating Cancer Plan we
are proposing bold and ambitious actions to reduce the use of tobacco. We have set a very clear
objective - to create a tobacco-free generation in Europe, where less than 5% of people use tobacco
by 2040. This means enforcing EU tobacco legislation more strictly and helping it keep pace with new
developments. EU legislation on tobacco has clearly had a positive impact on smoking rates in the
EU, but to meet our target, we must set our sights higher. The upcoming reviewing of the Tobacco
Products Directive will be an important part of this work.” Europe's Beating Cancer Plan – a key pillar
of the European Health Union – aims at creating a ‘Tobacco-free Generation' by 2040. To reach this
highly ambitious goal we need timely mobilisation of the complete available arsenal of tobacco
control tools at all levels. The Directive has put in place comprehensive EU tobacco control policy
rules, notably through enlarged combined health warnings, a track and trace system, a ban on
characterising flavours, the creation of an ingredients database and the regulation of electronic
cigarettes. However, due to market developments, there is scope for improvement in certain
essential areas such as labelling, assessment of ingredients, cross-border distance sales and novel
and emerging products. A press release is available here (For more information: Stefan de
Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Commission launches Digital Skills and Jobs Platform to accelerate digital upskilling in
Europe
The Commission, together with various partners in the Member States, launched today the Digital
Skills and Jobs Platform, a one-stop shop for high-quality information, initiatives and resources on
digital skills. At a time when 42% of Europeans lack basic digital skills, the new platform will help
close the digital skills gap in Europe and strengthen the European Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition
and its 25 National coalitions. It is funded by the Connecting Europe Facility. Commissioner for the
Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “Whether looking for a new job or starting a business, digital
skills are key to success. Bringing together hundreds of initiatives from around Europe, the Digital
Skills and Jobs Platform is a unique place for citizens to enhance their learning experiences and to
discover new opportunities.” As the EU's central hub for digital up-skilling and re-skilling, the
platform bundles best practices in digital skills, resources and the main actors in the field, to make a
tangible impact on both basic and advanced digital skills. It will also navigate users through curated
national and EU initiatives, opening up a community space for discussions and collaboration. In the
near future, smart functionalities, such as a self-assessment tool and online courses on emerging
technologies, will make it easy for anyone to find the right resource or service. Jointly with the Digital
Europe Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the platform will contribute to the
objectives of Europe's Digital Decade, namely that 80% of Europeans will have at least basic digital
skills and that there will be 20 million employed digital technology experts by 2030. It will also
contribute to the Pact for Skills, a shared engagement model for skills development in Europe. More
information is available here. (For more information: Johannes & Marietta) (For more information:
Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

2021 EU Blue Economy report: Emerging sectors prepare blue economy for leading part in
EU green transition
On the occasion of the European Maritime Day, the Commission released today the fourth edition of
its ‘EU Blue Economy Report', providing an overview of the performance of economic sectors related
to oceans and the coastal environment in the European Union. The sector directly employed close to
4.5 million people in 2018 and generated around €650 billion in turnover. Emerging activities such
as ocean energy, marine biotechnology and robotics will play an important role in the EU's transition

towards a carbon-neutral, circular and biodiverse economy. Commissioner for Environment, Oceans
and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “This report shows that the blue economy is an
important driver of today's European economy, in coastal communities and beyond. Moreover, with
the European Green Deal, its importance will only grow in the future. The sector will contribute to
decarbonisation and other European environmental objectives with innovative solutions and by
reducing its own footprint. I call on Member States and private investors to support this
transformation and invest in a sustainable blue economy.” Commissioner for Innovation, Research,
Culture, Education and Youth, responsible for the Joint Research Centre, Mariya Gabriel, said: “The
EU Blue Economy report marks an important milestone towards establishing the European Blue
Observatory, a knowledge sharing platform that will enable near real-time monitoring of
decarbonisation efforts across Europe's blue economy sectors.” The report shows an acceleration in
the growth of the most established sectors in the blue economy from 2013 to 2018 - seven large
sectors ranging from maritime transport and shipbuilding over offshore wind energy to coastal
tourism. Gross value added from coastal tourism, the largest blue economy sector in the EU,
increased by 20.6% compared to 2009. However, nearly all of them have suffered severely from the
COVID-19 crisis with coastal tourism seeing a decrease in activity of around 60 to 80%. The
European Maritime Day is the annual EU meeting point for those active in the blue economy. The
Commission published earlier this week its proposal for a Sustainable Blue Economy. You can find
the 2021 EU Blue Economy report here. More information is in the news item. (For more information:
Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Daniela Stoycheva –
Tel.: +32 229 53664; Sinéad Meehan-Van Druten – Tel.: + 32 229 84094)

Commissioner Breton meeting with European leaders in processors and semiconductors
technologies to discuss furthering Europe's global competitiveness and resilience
This morning, Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton visited the headquarters of the
Dutch company ASML and met with the CEO Peter Wennink, as well as Luc Van den Hove, CEO of the
international research and development organisation IMEC, both European leaders in processors
and semiconductors technologies. They held a constructive exchange on advancing Europe's
ambition in the production of next-generation processors and semiconductors. The Commissioner has
discussed Europe's ambition to strengthen its technological leadership, strategic autonomy and
security of supply in the most advanced semi-conductors. In this perspective, the Commissioner
mentioned the need for enhanced coordination in Europe, and the role of the upcoming alliance on
processors and semiconductor technologies. The alliance will bring together key actors of the
electronics value chain in Europe in order to boost Europe's capacity to design and produce advanced
trusted microelectronics chips (including below 5nm semiconductors). These semi-conductors,
including processors, are essentials in the fields of automotive, edge-AI, secure connectivity and
defence. As announced in the Digital Decade strategy, the ambition is to increase Europe's
production of cutting-edge and sustainable semiconductors in Europe to at least 20% of world
production in value, from 10% today. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229
58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

World Bee Day: New handbook to help develop European nature restoration targets
Bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects are vital for healthy ecosystems and their capacity to
provide us with food, clean water, medicine, materials, recreation and wellbeing. Yet, with three-
quarters of the Earth's surface altered by human influence and one million species at risk of
extinction, nature conservation alone is no longer enough. We also need restoration work to bring
back what we have lost. Today, on World Bee Day, the Commission's Joint Research Centre has
published a summary for policymakers of the first EU–wide ecosystem assessment. The report,
developed jointly with the European Environment Agency, provides science-based advice on
restoring degraded ecosystems, improving the monitoring of their health, and defining methods to
assess their condition. One year on from the launch of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the
report supports efforts to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery. Executive Vice-President
Frans Timmermans, for the European Green Deal, commented: “Healthy, thriving and resilient
nature is at the core of healthy lifestyles, thriving economies and resilient societies. However,
Europe's ecosystems are under increasing pressure, putting us all at risk. Nature restoration will be
essential to deliver win-win solutions for climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing by 2030.”
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, responsible for the Joint
Research Centre, Mariya Gabriel said: "Science has a crucial role to play in protecting biodiversity
and safeguarding precious ecosystems. This report provides valuable input to help ensure a firm
evidence base for the policies needed to achieve these goals.” The assessment reveals that the
condition of all Europe's ecosystems – from forests to agricultural lands, urban areas, wetlands,

rivers, lakes and seas – needs to improve significantly in order to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
It provides scientific evidence to inform the Commission's upcoming proposal for nature restoration
targets, which is due by the end of this year. Read the news release here. (For more information:
Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Daniela Stoycheva –
Tel.: +32 229 53664; Sinéad Meehan-Van Druten – Tel.: + 32 229 84094)

Antitrust: Commission fines investment banks € 371 million for participating in a European
Governments Bonds trading cartel
The European Commission has found that Bank of America, Natixis, Nomura, RBS (now NatWest),
UBS, UniCredit and WestLB (now Portigon) have breached EU antitrust rules through the
participation of a group of traders in a cartel in the primary and secondary market for European
Government Bonds (‘EGB'). Fines totalling € 371 million are imposed on Nomura, UBS and UniCredit.
NatWest was not fined as it revealed the cartel to the Commission. Bank of America and Natixis are
not fined either because their infringement falls outside the limitation period for imposition of fines.
Portigon, the legal and economic successor of WestLB, received a zero fine as it did not generate any
net turnover in the last business year which served as a cap to the fine. The seven investment banks
participated in a cartel through a group of traders working on their EGB desks and operating in a
closed circle of trust. These traders were in regular contact with each other mainly in multilateral
chatrooms on Bloomberg terminals. In these chatrooms, the relevant traders exchanged
commercially sensitive information. They discussed and provided each other with recurring updates
on their bidding strategy in the run up to the auctions of the Eurozone Member States when issuing
Euro denominated bonds on the primary market, and on trading parameters on the secondary
market. The conduct partially took place during the financial crisis and more specifically between
2007 and 2011, and affected the entire European Economic Area (‘EEA'). The behaviour of the seven
banks violates EU rules that prohibit anticompetitive business practices such as collusion on prices
(Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA
Agreement). Executive Vice-President of the Commission Margrethe Vestager, in charge of
competition policy said: “A well-functioning European Government Bonds market is paramount both
for the Eurozone Member States issuing these bonds to generate liquidity and the investors buying
and trading them. Our decision against Bank of America, Natixis, Nomura, RBS, UBS, UniCredit and
WestLB sends a clear message that the Commission will not tolerate any kind of collusive behavior. It
is unacceptable, that in the middle of the financial crisis, when many financial institutions had to be
rescued by public funding these investment banks colluded in this market at the expense of EU
Member States.” A full press release is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.:
+32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €22.5 billion Polish scheme to support offshore wind farms
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Polish scheme to support
offshore wind technology. Poland notified the Commission of its intention to introduce a new scheme
to support offshore wind farms. The aid will be granted in the form of a two-way contract-for-
difference premium, during 25 years, but only up to 100,000 full load hours per MegaWatt of
installed capacity. The scheme will roll out in two phases. During the first phase of the scheme,
offshore projects will be granted aid using the exception to the auction requirement, due to the
existence of a very limited number of projects. The reference price for projects in the first phase will
be administratively fixed based on their costs, with a maximum set at 319,60 PLN/MWh
(€71,82/MWh). Based on the respective business plan, the Commission will assess individually the
specific level of operating aid. Under the second phase of the scheme, aid will be granted through
open and competitive auctions which will be organised as of 2025, and the reference price of projects
will be fixed based on the respective bid. The scheme has a total maximum budget of €22.5 billion
and will run until 2030. The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular
the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy. The Commission found
that the aid is necessary and has an incentive effect, as the offshore wind projects would not take
place in the absence of public support. Furthermore, the aid is proportionate and limited to the
minimum necessary. The Commission concluded that the Polish scheme is in line with EU State aid
rules, as it supports offshore wind farm projects, which will facilitate the development of renewable
energy production from offshore wind technology in Poland and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in
line with the European Green Deal, and without unduly distorting competition. Executive Vice-
President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This Polish scheme is a very
good example of how competition policy can enable Member States to support green energy projects,
such as offshore wind farms. It gives the incentive to companies to invest in such green projects
where they would otherwise not have invested. We hope that we will see many such initiatives in the

future, which contribute to the EU's Green Deal, without unduly distorting competition in the Single
Market.” A full press release is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229
86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of joint venture by The Coca-Cola
Company and Coca-Cola HBC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over a newly created joint venture by The Coca-Cola Company of the U.S. and Coca-Cola HBC
AG of Switzerland. The joint venture will be active in providing digital marketplace services
connecting wholesalers, retailers, suppliers and consumers of consumer packaged goods. The Coca-
Cola Company mainly holds the worldwide brand ownership and licences of various trademarks used
to market and sell non-alcoholic commercial beverages. Coca-Cola HBC is active in producing,
marketing and selling The Coca-Cola Company-branded beverages and other beverages. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because
the joint venture has limited actual and foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. In
addition, the acquisition does not result in horizontal overlaps or vertical links between the activities
of the companies. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More
information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under
the case number M.10208. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni
– Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Sanden by Hisense Group
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Sanden
Holdings Corporation (‘Sanden') of Japan by Hisense Group Holdings Co. Ltd. (‘Hisense Group') of
China. Sanden manufactures and supplies climate control components and compressors constituting
automotive air-conditioning systems, and climate control systems for construction and agricultural
machinery. Hisense Group manufactures and supplies major domestic appliances, small domestic
appliances, televisions and residential and commercial air conditioners and dehumidifiers. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the
limited horizontal overlaps and vertical links between the activities of the companies. The transaction
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the
Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10265. (For
more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition de Technosens Evolution par Korian
Solutions et VYV Invest
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle en commun de Technosens Evolution SAS, par l'entreprise Korian Solutions
SAS, appartenant au Groupe Korian, et l'entreprise VYV Invest SAS, appartenant au Groupe VYV,
toutes les trois basées en France. Technosens Evolution, déjà contrôlée par Korian Solutions, est
principalement active en France dans la recherche, le développement et l'installation de solutions
digitales ergonomiques à destination des établissements d'accueil de personnes âgées. Le Groupe
Korian est actif dans le secteur des services de soin et d'accompagnement adaptés aux personnes
âgées et fragilisées en Allemagne, en Belgique, en Espagne, en France, en Italie et aux Pays Bas. Le
Groupe VYV est un acteur mutualiste de santé et de protection sociale qui regroupe des activités
allant de l'assurance à l'offre de soins en France. Il est aussi actif dans le domaine de l'habitat et du
logement social en France et de manière plus marginale en Espagne, en Italie et au Portugal. La
Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence
compte tenu de son impact limité sur la structure du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le
cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont
disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires
sous le numéro d'affaire M.10020. (Pour plus d'informations : Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500;
Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Célébration de la Journée mondiale de la diversité culturelle pour le dialogue et le
développement
À l'approche de la Journée mondiale de la diversité culturelle pour le dialogue et le développement,
le 21 mai, le haut représentant/vice-président Josep Borrell, la commissaire Mariya Gabriel et la
commissaire Jutta Urpilainen ont publié une déclaration commune. Dans cette déclaration, ils
soulignent la valeur centrale de la diversité culturelle pour l'Union européenne, les difficultés
rencontrées par le secteur culturel durant la pandémie de coronavirus, et le rôle de la culture dans le
cadre des efforts de réconciliation et d'intégration. «En tant qu'Européens, nous avons la chance
d'avoir à notre porte certains des artistes les plus talentueux, les plus créatifs et les plus diversifiés
du monde. Nous jouissons de sites culturels d'une remarquable beauté, tant architecturale, que
naturelle. L'Europe elle-même est à la fois une mosaïque et un creuset de cultures, de peuples et de
langues. Alors que nous ouvrons nos sociétés dans le cadre de la reprise socio-économique après le
coronavirus, nous sommes impatients de découvrir à nouveau l'ensemble du patrimoine culturel que
l'Europe, et le monde, ont à offrir.» Du programme Europe créative à la collaboration avec des
organisations internationales telles que l'UNESCO, en passant par Erasmus+, les Capitales
européennes de la culture, les Espaces culturels de l'UE et la récente initiative en faveur d'un
nouveau Bauhaus européen, l'Union européenne s'engage à préserver et à promouvoir la culture, et à
la rendre accessible à tous, tant dans l'UE que dans le monde. Le texte intégral de la déclaration est
disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Nabila Massrali – Tél.: +32 229 88093; Ana Pisonero
– Tél.: +32 229 54320 ; Adam Kaznowski – Tél.: +32 229 89359; Gesine Knolle Tél.: +32 229
54323 ; Sinéad Meehan - van Druten – Tél.: +32 229 84094)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President von der Leyen hosts the Global Health Summit in Rome together with the Italian
Presidency of the G20
On Friday, 21 May 2021, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will host the
Global Health Summit in Rome jointly with Prime Minister Mario Draghi, for the Italian Presidency of
the G20. The Summit will bring together G20 and invited leaders, heads of international and regional
organisations, and representatives of global health bodies, to share lessons learned from the COVID-
19 pandemic. It will develop and endorse a ‘Rome Declaration' of principles that will guide a truly
global response to future health crises. President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Draghi will open
the Summit at 13:30 CET, followed by a plenary session, and closing speeches by both hosts will
take place at 17:15 CET. At the end of the Summit, at around 17:30 CET, the President and Prime
Minister Draghi will also hold a joint press conference. You can follow the whole Summit and the
press conference live on EbS. The following day, on Saturday, President von der Leyen will have an
audience with His Holiness Pope Francis, followed by a meeting with Cardinal State Secretary Pietro
Parolin. More information is available on the Summit website. (For more information: Eric Mamer –
Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150)

Vice-President Šefčovič in Spain to develop the European Battery Alliance skills agenda
Vice-President in charge of Institutional Relations and Foresight, Maroš Šefčovič, has been in Spain
to participate at the signature ceremony of the first-ever Memorandum of Understanding to
implement the EBA250 Battery Academy, a public-private partnership on learning services, covering
the entire battery value chain. The MoU between InnoEnergy and the Escuela de Organisacion
Industrial is a significant concrete step in developing our skills agenda for the battery sector. In
Spain, some 150,000 people are expected to be part of reskilling and upskilling training by 2025,
while other EU Member States are set to follow. On this occasion, Vice-President Šefčovič took stock
of the European Battery Alliance's overall progress, which is the result of close cooperation between
the Commission, Member States and the industry. He also supported flagship industrial projects in
Spain, while welcoming another MoU between Scoobic, urban electric vehicle company, and Correos,
Spanish National Mail service to deliver electric last-mile vehicle for post office. This is set to help
transform urban mobility and improve air quality. Vice-President Šefčovič said: “The European
Battery Alliance continues to lead the green transition with high-level of ambition and resolute
collective action.” Yesterday's signature ceremony with the speech and press conference by Vice-

President Šefčovič can be re-watched on EbS. Today, the Vice-President is holding a meeting with
Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government, with whom he will participate in the presentation of
ES2050, a document presenting the guidelines for the long-term vision for Spain. You can watch the
interventions and presentation on EbS. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229
58615; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Executive Vice-President Timmermans, and Commissioners Simson and Sinkevičius at the
G7 Climate and Environment Ministerial Meeting
On Thursday 20 and Friday 21 May, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans
Timmermans, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, and Commissioner for Environment, Oceans
and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, will represent the EU at the G7 Climate and Environment
Ministerial meeting, hosted by the UK and taking place in a virtual format. Commissioner
Sinkevičius is taking part in the launch session on ‘The Basis for Action' with G7 members and
guest countries. On Thursday afternoon, Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner
Simson will take part in the session of G7 members on ‘Net Zero and the Clean Energy Transition'
discussing the nexus between climate and energy policies for achieving our emissions reduction
targets. On Friday morning, Commissioner Sinkevičius will participate in the session of G7 members
on ‘Resetting our Relationship with Nature' and in the afternoon Executive Vice-President
Timmermans will take part in the session on ‘The Joint Track' with G7 members and guest
countries, which will be dedicated to both climate and environment policies, with a view to the
Biodiversity COP15 in October and the Climate COP26 in November of this year. (For more
information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

Eurogroup and informal Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meetings, 21 – 22
May 2021
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis, Commissioner Gentiloni and Commissioner McGuinness
will represent the Commission at the Eurogroup and the informal Economic and Financial Affairs
Council (ECOFIN) meetings, taking place in Lisbon tomorrow and on Saturday. The Eurogroup will
exchange views with Ms Irene Tinagli, Chair of the ECON Committee of the European Parliament, on
the macro-economic and fiscal situation in the euro area, also on the basis of the Commission's
Spring Forecast. Participants will discuss the functioning of adjustment mechanisms in the euro area
as an important element of the economic resilience in the euro area, with a specific focus on the
COVID-19 pandemic. The Eurogroup will adopt the Work Programme for the second half of the year,
covering the period from July until December. Switching to a Banking Union format, the Chair of the
ECB Supervisory Board, Mr Andrea Enria, will inform the Eurogroup about the supervisory tasks
carried out by ECB Banking Supervision. The Chair will notably focus on credit and climate risks and
Brexit. The Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB), Ms Elke König, will update the Eurogroup on
the recent activities undertaken by the SRB, focusing particularly on the progress made on
resolvability, the minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) and the build-
up of the Single Resolution Fund. Commissioner Gentiloni will represent the Commission at the
press conference following the meeting. On Friday afternoon, ECOFIN Ministers and Central Bank
Governors will share views on how to enhance the effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies to
promote economic growth in the short and long term. Ministers and Governors will discuss strategies
on how the financial and non-financial sectors of the economy can support each other both at the
current juncture, as well as at the upcoming recovery stage. On Saturday, Ministers will hold a
thematic discussion on the future of green taxation policies in the EU and their role in the recovery of
the economy. Ministers will also address key challenges in achieving a balanced recovery,
highlighting the role of NextGenerationEU and its interaction with national instruments. A press
conference with Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will follow the meeting. (For more
information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500;
Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Commissioner Várhelyi and Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs visit Bulgaria
and North Macedonia
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Portuguese Minister of
State and Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the
European Union, will visit Bulgaria and North Macedonia on 21 May, to discuss topics related to the
EU enlargement process with the authorities of both countries. In the morning, they will be in Sofia
to meet President Rumen Radev, as well as the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
new government, while in the afternoon, in Skopje, they will meet President Stevo Pendarovski, as

well as Prime Minister Zoran Zaev together with Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. The official launch of the accession negotiations with Albania and North
Macedonia is a key priority for the EU and the first Intergovernmental Conferences with both
countries should be organised as soon as possible after the adoption of the Negotiating Frameworks
by the Council. Images will be available on EbS. (For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32
229 54320; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
                                                                                            MEX/21/2584